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| Skerton High pupils and Robyn Holtham with David Morris MP in London yesterday. Photo courtesy Hands Off Skerton |
Morecambe and Lunesdale MP David Morris has presented a petition to save Skerton High Schoool to Parliament, signed by 3500 people opposed to the closure plans outlined by Lancashire County Council.
“I am extremely proud to present this petition on
behalf of nearly 3,500 members of staff, students and parents of Skerton
community high school and the wider community of Skerton,” he said in his presentation. “I am also
proud to be wearing the school tie.”
A group of
students, led by parent, Robyn Holtham, were in the House of Commons Public Gallery to
see the petition presented yesterday.
The petitioners
started their campaign in September, when they were told that Skerton High School faced closure by the county council.
“Skerton community high
school has fantastic pastoral care and all the students are immensely
happy there,” said Mr Morris. “I therefore urge the House to support the community of
Skerton and the children and parents of Skerton community high school in
their fight to keep the school open.”
The County Council’s consultation on the closure closed on 25th October. The Council’s grounds for closure – vigorously challenged by campaigners – are based on low pupil numbers and an inadequate Ofsted inspection.
The petition states:
The Petition of pupils, parents and staff of Skerton Community High School and others in the Skerton community, declares
that the Petitioners believe that Skerton Community High School
provides excellent pastoral care and caters for a high number of special
needs students and thus the
Petitioners do not believe that it should
be closed.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take steps to support the school in its bid to remain open.”